Does anyone have any additional lineage to this line? John David Willet began the Willett bourbon distilling tradition shortly after the Civil War when he joined his brother-in-law and another young man from Louisville, Ky to form the distilling firm of Moore, Willet, and Frenke. Failing eyesight cause John D. Willett to sell his interest in the distillery to his brothers-in-law Ben, F. Manttingly and Tom Moore, yet his knowledge and skill was such that he shrugged off the handicap and went on to serve as master distiller for 5 plants; three in the Bradstown area and two in Louisville. John David Willett was the starting of a three generation line of Willett distiller. Lambert Willett began his career at an early age, Thompson Willett followed his father's footsteps. Thompson brother John in the 1930's, tried of working for others, decided to establish and independent family distillery. In 1937 the Willet Distilling Company was born. The distillery is far from an industrial giant. The company produced about 50 barrels a day and has an inventory of 40,000 barrels. Prior to prohibition, Lambert Willett was a partner in the Clear Springs Distilling Company, Bradstown, KY With the repeal, he re-entered the business as superintendent of Bernheim Distilling Company of Louisville, with Thompson his son, as his assistant. Thompson & John Willett planned and supervised the Willet construction, board by board, nail by nail. John being the architect and civil engineer. Also, John was the company's treasurer and engineer. The Willet Distilling Company produced it's first Whiskey on St. Patrick's Day, 1937. After Paul Willet's graduation, another brother, he become plant manager, in charge of all warehouse and bottling activities. Mary C. Willet, a sister, is company secretary. A younger brother, Charles, is associated with the industry at the wholesale level. This distiller for years was Charles Thomason. In the many phases of advertising the Willetts published a cook Book of Old Bardstown recipes complied by Pat Jemeley, another sister. ref; Historic Nelson County, It's towns and People, by Sarah B. Smith 1983 <(.¿.)> Randy Dunavan Longview, Tx http://www.familytreemaker.com/users/d/u/n/James-R-Dunavan/index.html